Center for Oral History
The voices and memories of individuals who lived through particular events and eras help us understand our history and culture in ways that official records cannot convey.
For more than a decade, the Center for Oral History has been a leader in the effort to collect, preserve, and interpret oral history through education and outreach among scholars, community historians, and our own College community. The process involves interview-based research and audio recordings between an interviewer and an interviewee, who share the conscious intention of creating a permanent record of the past. These first-person accounts provide insight into how individual actions and experiences shaped the past - and how the past shapes present day.
Our goal is to educate students, faculty, and community members in the methods, protocols and professional and ethical standards of oral history.
Specifically, we provide:
- Methodological and technical assistance
- Workshops, consultation, and collaboration
- Orientation and networks to local archives and resources
- Access to a community of scholars and professional associations.
- Portable audio recording equipment and on-site recording facilities
While the focus of the center is on students, research, and the greater North Shore community, we maintain institutional affiliation with oral history centers across the country and around the world. To learn more, contact Dr. Michael Kilburn.
